Dean of The Citadel Graduate College named as ACE Fellow

Robert McNamara chosen as American Council on Education Fellow

The American Council on Education recently announced its 2014-15 Class of ACE Fellows. The Associate Provost and Dean of The Citadel Graduate College, Col. Robert McNamara, Ph.D., was named to the group along with 30 other higher education leaders from around the nation. The ACE Fellows Program was developed to ensure that higher education's future leaders are ready to take on real-world challenges and serve the capacity-building needs of their institutions. McNamara was named dean in 2013 after serving as the associate dean of the college's evening undergraduate studies.

The ACE Fellows Program enables participants to immerse themselves in the culture, policies, and decision-making processes of another institution while continuing in their current roles. McNamara's nominator/sponsor was the Provost of The Citadel, Brig. Gen. Samuel M. Hines, Jr., Ph.D.

"The ACE Fellows program is one of the most prestigious and oldest professional development programs for academic leaders and has a reputation for its Fellows achieving their professional goals," said Hines. "The experience helps position talented leaders to lead their institutions to greater success and recognition. I would like to congratulate Dean McNamara for earning a place on an impressive list of Fellows."

A resident of Mount Pleasant, S.C., McNamara earned an undergraduate degree in justice and law administration from Western Connecticut State University and a master's in sociology and criminal justice from Southern Connecticut State University. He earned two master's degrees as well as a doctorate in sociology from Yale University. He is the author of more than 25 books on topics ranging from policing and crime to homelessness and urban sociology and social gerontology.

ACE has more than 1,800 members and is comprised of presidents, deans, department chairs, faculty and other leaders of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions, including two- and four-year colleges, private and public universities, and nonprofit and for-profit entities. ACE advocates in support of select higher education issues, with a focus on improving access and preparing every student to succeed. The complete list of ACE Fellows Class of 2014-15 is here.

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